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good cut while we were jamed in the Ice and the current taking us around the North Pole but thank fortune we have got out of that scrape in good shape only we left some of our copper in those regions.

"you need not make much talk about our being jamed in ice for it might be the cause of considerable talk. I am bound to keep up a faint lively hart and you must try to do the same oil or no oil. give my love to all and tell them I am as smart as a deer and can jump higher. Goodbye dear Wife for I am always thinking of you take care of that billy boy."

Toward the end of July, still "nary oil yet," he sends the even more somber report that "the small pox has got in the fleet and is raging pretty bad on board some of the Ships, there has been quite a number died of it," but by September 2, back in his old form:

"All well and kicking. there is now a Ship coming down that we think is bound to the Islands and thinking there will be a chance to send a letter I will scratch a few lines to send with that other I have ready. We have got six whales that made us about 500 bls but I think there is a chance for more if we stay long enough, but it is a very hard season and I believe that hard luck follows us wherever we go but never mind I am tuff and harty.

"Dear you must keep up good spirits and not get down harted for we shall come out all right in the end, you must not never build your hopes to high on our seasons work and then you will not get disapointed. . . Han take good care of the baby boy and be a good girl and do not get into any mischief. Tell Father and Mother that I am as tuff as a shark and if I was at home I would make that old salt meadow ring."

From the Sea of Okhotsk, which balloons out of the North Pacific, he added on September 17:

"the dogs are going with a clean rush today and I thort I would rush a few lines to you. . . this has been the hardest season ever known at sea, smock and fog all the time and very few whales. the old mans had very sore eyes but got over it now, he sends his love to you and says you must keep your nose clean.

"we shall probably be in Hilo (Hawaii) in two months and I shall expect a heap of letters from you. han you must be a good gall and take good care of yourself for I am out there to help you. (Not only did Hannah, who lived to be a "peppery old lady of almost a hundred,'' take good care of herself, but she apparently did as much work on the Ashley farm during William's absence as any two men. She and her horse Thad, whom she rode regularly to Lunds Corner, New Bedford--taking care to change to clean gloves before she began her round of farm and domestic errands--became as routine and respected a sight over the years as the old church steeple.) All the Ships have done very poorly this season... Capt. Willice is clean and had a boats crew run away and caried three bomb guns dont think he will catch them.

"I shall expect your likeness when we get to the Islands.

"We came in here for the purpose to bury a man, a Mr. Cranston, he was the old mans mate in the William Wert, he shipped with us for 5 mate but was sick when we left the Islands he leaves a wife at home but no little ones thank fortune.

"Keep up good courage dear Han for one third of the voige has gone allready if you want anything dont you fail to rite me and you shall have it if in the bounds of reason. I am always thinking of you."